Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. The rare Ploceus flavipes and P. aureonucha occur; the former is known only from the Ituri forest and all recent sightings are from the reserve, the latter has been recorded from one other site only. It is probable that Afropavo congensis occurs. The monodominant Gilbertiodendron forest appears to be important habitat for Zoothera thrushes, in which at least three species occur. In addition, three species of the Afrotropical Highlands biome have been recorded (see Table 3).

Site description The Okapi Faunal Reserve is a huge tract of moist semi-evergreen lowland forest, with swamp-forest and, along roads, secondary forest, in north-eastern DR Congo. Part of the large Ituri Forest, Okapi lies between approximately 1°N in the south, 28°E in the west, the Nepoko river in the north, and the Mambassa–Andudu road in the east. The Ituri and the Epulu are the main rivers. The terrain is gently undulating with some higher hills in the north. Dominant tree species include Cynometra alexandri, Julbernardia seretii and Gilbertiodendron dewevrei. There are areas in which G. dewevrei occurs as monodominant stands, but the other forest-types are noted for their richness. The site is one of the largest tracts of intact forest remaining on the rim of the Congo basin. The forest is important as the home of the hunter-gatherer Mbuti and Efé pygmies. They live in association with indigenous Bantu and Sudanic-speaking shifting cultivators. Human population densities in the region are low and people are mostly concentrated along the few existing roads. A major part of the forest is free of permanent settlements. Rainfall averages between 1,650 mm and 1,750 mm per year.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species	Season	Period	Population estimate	Quality of estimate	IBA Criteria	IUCN Category
Black Guineafowl Agelastes niger	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Plumed Guineafowl Guttera plumifera	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Forest Francolin Francolinus lathami	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Nahan's Francolin Francolinus nahani	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A1, A3	Endangered
Congo Peafowl Afropavo congensis	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Vulnerable
Hartlaub's Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Spot-breasted Ibis Bostrychia rara	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-crested Tiger-heron Tigriornis leucolopha	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Congo Serpent-eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk Accipiter castanilius	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus	resident	2000	-	-		Least Concern
Cassin's Hawk-eagle Aquila africanus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Grey-throated Rail Canirallus oculeus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Afep Pigeon Columba unicincta	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba iriditorques	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Blue-headed Wood-dove Turtur brehmeri	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swindernianus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Not Recognised
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-throated Cuckoo Chrysococcyx flavigularis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Sandy Scops-owl Otus icterorhynchus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Fraser's Eagle-owl Bubo poensis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Shelley's Eagle-owl Bubo shelleyi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Near Threatened
Akun Eagle-owl Bubo leucostictus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Maned Owl Jubula lettii	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Data Deficient
Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chestnut Owlet Glaucidium castaneum	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Bates's Nightjar Caprimulgus batesi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus	resident	2000	-	-		Least Concern
Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Sabine's Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Cassin's Spinetail Neafrapus cassini	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Bare-cheeked Trogon Apaloderma aequatoriale	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
African Dwarf-kingfisher Ceyx lecontei	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-bellied Kingfisher Alcedo leucogaster	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black Bee-eater Merops gularis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Merops muelleri	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Not Recognised
Black-headed Bee-eater Merops breweri	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Forest Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus castaneiceps	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black Dwarf Hornbill Tockus hartlaubi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-crested Hornbill Tropicranus albocristatus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-thighed Hornbill Bycanistes albotibialis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Sladen's Barbet Gymnobucco sladeni	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Cassin's Honeyguide Prodotiscus insignis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Zenker's Honeyguide Melignomon zenkeri	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculatus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Willcocks's Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Lyre-tailed Honeyguide Melichneutes robustus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
African Piculet Sasia africana	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Golden-crowned Woodpecker Thripias xantholophus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Green-breasted Pitta Pitta reichenowi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
African Shrike-flycatcher Megabyas flammulatus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Ituri Batis Batis ituriensis	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castanea	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-spotted Wattle-eye Platysteira tonsa	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Jameson's Wattle-eye Platysteira jamesoni	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chestnut-bellied Helmet-shrike Prionops caniceps	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Grey-green Bush-shrike Telophorus bocagei	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike Malaconotus cruentus	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Red-eyed Puffback Dryoscopus senegalensis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Large-billed Puffback Dryoscopus sabini	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Sooty Boubou Laniarius leucorhynchus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Blue Cuckooshrike Coracina azurea	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Petit's Cuckooshrike Campephaga petiti	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Eastern Wattled Cuckooshrike Campephaga oriolina	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Data Deficient
Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Shining Drongo Dicrurus atripennis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher Trochocercus nitens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black-headed Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Bedford's Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone bedfordi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A1, A2, A3	Near Threatened
Dusky Crested-flycatcher Elminia nigromitrata	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Dusky Tit Parus funereus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Forest Penduline-tit Anthoscopus flavifrons	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Tit-hylia Pholidornis rushiae	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Square-tailed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne nitens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Not Recognised
Gosling's Apalis Apalis goslingi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Grey Greenbul Andropadus gracilis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Ansorge's Greenbul Andropadus ansorgei	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Plain Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serina	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-tailed Greenbul Baeopogon clamans	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Simple Greenbul Chlorocichla simplex	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Joyful Greenbul Chlorocichla laetissima	resident	2000	-	-		Least Concern
Swamp Greenbul Thescelocichla leucopleura	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Leaf-love Pyrrhurus scandens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A1, A2, A3	Least Concern
Xavier's Greenbul Phyllastrephus xavieri	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Common Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Lesser Bristlebill Bleda notatus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Green-backed Bulbul Criniger chloronotus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Red-tailed Bulbul Criniger calurus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-bearded Bulbul Criniger ndussumensis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-spotted Nicator Nicator chloris	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-throated Nicator Nicator vireo	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Green Hylia Hylia prasina	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Green Crombec Sylvietta virens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylvietta denti	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis Illadopsis albipectus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Capuchin Babbler Phyllanthus atripennis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Purple-headed Glossy-starling Lamprotornis purpureiceps	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-tailed Ant-thrush Neocossyphus poensis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Rufous Flycatcher-thrush Stizorhina fraseri	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Forest Ground-thrush Zoothera oberlaenderi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A1, A2, A3	Near Threatened
Black-eared Ground-thrush Zoothera camaronensis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Grey Ground-thrush Zoothera princei	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-tailed Alethe Alethe diademata	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Not Recognised
Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Lowland Akalat Sheppardia cyornithopsis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Blue-shouldered Robin-chat Cossypha cyanocampter	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Forest Scrub-robin Erythropygia leucosticta	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
African Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-browed Forest Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Sooty Flycatcher Muscicapa infuscata	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Olivaceous Flycatcher Muscicapa olivascens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Little Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa epulata	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-footed Flycatcher Muscicapa sethsmithi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Tessmann's Flycatcher Muscicapa tessmanni	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Data Deficient
Cassin's Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Grey-throated Tit-flycatcher Myioparus griseigularis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Scarlet-tufted Sunbird Anthreptes fraseri	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Violet-tailed Sunbird Anthreptes aurantium	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Little Green Sunbird Nectarinia seimundi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Bates's Sunbird Nectarinia batesi	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Reichenbach's Sunbird Nectarinia reichenbachii	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Nectarinia cyanolaema	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Green-throated Sunbird Nectarinia rubescens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Tiny Sunbird Nectarinia minulla	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Johanna's Sunbird Nectarinia johannae	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Superb Sunbird Nectarinia superba	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-		Least Concern
Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster	resident	2000	unknown [units unknown]	-		Least Concern
Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Golden-naped Weaver Ploceus aureonucha	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A1, A2, A3	Endangered
Yellow-mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Maxwell's Black Weaver Ploceus albinucha	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Preuss's Weaver Ploceus preussi	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-capped Weaver Ploceus dorsomaculatus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Yellow-legged Weaver Ploceus flavipes	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A1, A2, A3	Vulnerable
Red-crowned Malimbe Malimbus coronatus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Black-throated Malimbe Malimbus cassini	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Red-bellied Malimbe Malimbus erythrogaster	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Gray's Malimbe Malimbus nitens	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Jameson's Antpecker Parmoptila jamesoni	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
White-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita fusconotus	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Pale-fronted Negrofinch Nigrita luteifrons	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern
Grant's Bluebill Spermophaga poliogenys	resident	2000	present [units unknown]	-	A3	Least Concern

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Okapi Wildlife Reserve	World Heritage Site	1,372,625	protected area contains site	1,370,000
Réserve de faune à okapis	Rserve de faune	1,384,674	protected area contains site	1,370,000

Habitats

IUCN habitat	Habitat detail	Extent (% of site)
Unknown		1%
Forest		96%

Land use

Land-use	Extent (% of site)
agriculture	-
nature conservation and research	-
tourism/recreation	-

Other biodiversity The reserve contains the largest population in existence of the endemic Okapia johnstoni (LR/nt) (estimated at 3,900–6,350 animals in 1996) and one of the largest of forest elephant Loxodonta africana cyclotis (EN) (4,750–10,100 animals). Other mammals of global conservation concern include Hyemoschus aquaticus (DD), Osbornictis piscivora (DD) and Tragelaphus euryceros (LR/nt). Of particular interest is the presence of 13 species of primate, amongst which are Pan troglodytes (EN) (7,500–12,000 individuals), Cercopithecus hamlyni (LR/nt) and C. l’hoesti (LR/nt), which constitutes one of the richest assemblages recorded from any African forest. The site is also particularly rich in butterfly species.

Management considerations The site was established as a reserve in 1992 and was named a World Heritage Site in 1996. The reserve is managed by ICCN, but due to lack of sufficient personnel, equipment and infrastructure, the capacity to manage the reserve effectively is extremely limited. In recent years, support has been provided by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Wildlife Conservation Society and Gilman International Conservation. The interest in, and protection of, the area dates from colonial times and is linked to the occurrence of Okapi. In the early 1950s, a government station was established at Epulu to capture Okapi, using indigenous capture techniques and employing local forest peoples. Moreover, a unique system of locally-controlled forest reserves was established to serve as Okapi capture zones. Although tradition has protected these reserves from agricultural incursions and excessive hunting, conditions are now changing, with growing numbers of immigrant farmers and prospectors descending on the area in search of land and gold. At least 10,000 people now live in the reserve (1.5 inhabitants/km²), including four villages with 500 to 1,700 inhabitants. Poaching has become heavy in the south of the site, with Elephant particularly targeted. The pygmies, who have traditionally exploited the forest in a sustainable manner, have become more dependent on trade with the increasing Bantu population and, in some cases, have been reported to hunt game for the Bantu for commercial exploitation. Due to logistical problems, significant portions of the reserve are rarely or never visited by ICCN guards.

A research project has been based at Epulu since the early 1980s and has been supported since 1986 by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Besides conducting the first study of Okapi in the wild, this project has included long-term studies of natural and selectively-logged forest and research into the socio-economic impact of human migration. The captive Okapi in semi-natural enclosures at the station attract a certain number of tourists; however, tourism has declined dramatically because of the very bad state of the access road. With the recently built airstrip it is hoped that number of visitors will increase once stability returns to the region.

References Blom (1990), Collar and Stuart (1988), Dejaifve (1989), Hart and Hall (1996), Hart et al. (1986), IUCN (1990), Plumptre (1997), Sacchi (1998), Sayer et al. (1992), Stephenson and Newby (1997).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Okapi Faunal Reserve. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/05/2013

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